UAE. Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, in collaboration with UAE-based holding company Bright Start L.L.C., formally announced today their plans for a resort property in the heart of Jumeirah Beach.

With a prime beach-front location and convenient access to the main commercial district on Sheikh Zayed Road, Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach is the most highly anticipated addition to Dubai’s luxury hotel scene. Bright Start is developing the new resort property and has appointed H&H Investment and Development as the development manager.

The property will be situated on a 11-acre (4.45 hectare) natural waterfront site along the Arabian Gulf. Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach has been designed by world renowned architect WATG, with interior design by San Fransisco based BAMO.

The Resort – which is expected to open by mid 2014 – will welcome individual leisure and business guests as well as meetings and incentives groups, capitalizing on its prime location in one of the city’s most elite residential districts and located just two kilometres (1.2 miles) from Dubai’s central commercial district and key tourism landmarks along Sheikh Zayed Road.

“Being the Middle East’s biggest tourism hub with a highly mature hospitality industry, it was important for us to be in Dubai with a strong product that can serve as one of the company flagships in this region,” said Kathleen Taylor, president and CEO, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts. “As with all markets across the globe in which Four Seasons operates, it was important for us to take the time to find our niche here as well as identify a partner that first and foremost shares our service and business values. We are confident that we not only have an unparalleled location, but also an excellent development partner – two key factors that will allow us to offer what guests travelling to Dubai on business or pleasure desire and have come to expect from Four Seasons.”

Talha Al Hashimi, CEO of Bright Start stated: “In line with His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai’s vision for Dubai, we believe our investment in the hospitality sector will further open up opportunities for continued growth and contribute to Dubai’s status as a major luxury tourist destination.”

“Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts has set the benchmark in luxury hospitality over the past 50 years and we are proud to introduce the brand to the Dubai market. With a key strategic location on Jumeirah’s beachfront and a renowned brand name that is synonymous with luxurious travel, we are confident its presence will be a successful addition to the luxury hospitality sector in Dubai, which is one of the world’s top destinations, with 8.8 million visitors expected in 2012,” he added.

Shahab Lutfi, CEO of H&H Investment and Development, said: “Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach is a prestigious project and we are delighted to have been appointed by Bright Start to bring to life this Four Seasons resort.”

He added: “We have selected some of the world’s leading consultants and contractors to ensure that Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach delivers an unprecedented sense of luxury to Dubai. From the architectural beauty of the exterior and innovative interior design to the practical aspects such as its location and amenities, the Resort is set to raise the bar for luxury resorts in the region even higher.”

Located at the northern end of Jumeirah Beach Road, away from the city’s other resorts clustered in the Palm Jumeirah area, guests at Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach will enjoy exclusive access to 270 metres (886 metres) of beach fronting the warm blue waters of the Arabian Gulf. Easy access to Dubai’s airports and an excellent public transport system will ensure guests enjoy seamless connectivity to the entire city.

With 237 rooms, including 49 suites, the Resort will target an almost equal mix of leisure and business guests, with a distinct leaning towards a residential style product while offering business guests the personalized support and service synonymous with Four Seasons across the globe.

The Resort will be home to at least three restaurants, and poolside dining. The function spaces which have beachfront access will include a 600 square metre (6,458 square foot) ballroom and five meeting rooms. In keeping with its resort positioning, the property will also be home to a world class spa, indoor and outdoor pools, tennis courts and private beach club.

Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach will be the global hospitality company’s latest addition to a robust development pipeline in the GCC, which includes a property in the UAE capital, Four Seasons Hotel Abu Dhabi Sowwah, Four Seasons Resort Oman, Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay, Four Seasons Hotel Doha at The Pearl, Four Seasons Hotel Jeddah and Four Seasons Hotel Kuwait.

About Four Seasons Hotels and ResortsFour Seasons is dedicated to perfecting the travel experience through continual innovation and the highest standards of hospitality. From elegant surroundings of the finest quality, to caring, highly personalized 24-hour service, Four Seasons embodies a true home away from home for those who know and appreciate the best.

The deeply instilled Four Seasons culture is personified in its employees – people who share a single focus and are inspired to offer great service. Founded in 1960 by Isadore Sharp, Four Seasons has followed a targeted course of expansion, opening hotels and residences in major city centres and desirable resort destinations around the world. Currently with 86 properties in 35 countries, and more than 50 projects under development, Four Seasons continues to lead the hospitality industry with innovative enhancements, making business travel easier and leisure travel more rewarding.

About Bright StartBright Start LLC is a company based in Dubai with interests in real estate and investments.

About H&H Investment and Development H&H is a boutique Dubai-based real estate investment, development and management company, with one of the fastest growing portfolios in the city’s property market. Established in 2007, the company is managed by CEO Shahab Lutfi, a former Director at Dubai Properties.

The company currently manages a portfolio of USD 500 million worth of cumulative assets that translates into more than three million square feet (279,000 square metres) of leasable space. Specializing in offering comprehensive turnkey solutions to its clients based on its corporate philosophy “Development is Creation,” H&H works with leading regional and international architects and contractors to develop memorable and sometimes unconventional projects that have a distinctive character, while fulfilling the practical and logistical requirements of its clients.

The company currently has four divisions: H&H Property Management and Leasing, H&H Investment and Development, H&H Facilities Management and H&H Interior Design.

MIDDLE EAST BUSINESS COMMENT & ANALYSIS

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INTERNATIONAL. Washington is moving away from the strategy it has followed since the early 2000s - of being the prime military force in regional conflicts - and is shifting the primary burden of fighting to regional powers while playing a secondary role.